Buying a new mattress is exciting—better sleep is just around the corner! But once that new bed arrives, you are left with a massive, heavy, awkward problem: What do you do with the old one?

You can’t just toss it in a dumpster (it’s illegal in many places), and your regular trash collector likely won’t touch it. It’s too big to fit in your car, and it’s taking up valuable space in your garage.

In most cases, you can get rid of a mattress by donating it if it’s clean, recycling it where required by law, scheduling municipal bulk pickup, or hiring a service to haul it away. The right option depends on your mattress condition, local regulations, and whether you can transport it yourself.

If you are stuck wondering "How do I get rid of this mattress?" you have options. Here is your complete guide to donating, recycling, or disposing of your old mattress responsibly.

1. Can You Donate a Mattress? (The Rules)

Donating is the best option if your mattress is still in good condition. Acceptance rules vary by organization and location, often due to local health codes and bed bug prevention laws. Always confirm with the specific location before scheduling a pickup.

Your mattress must be:

  • Completely free of stains, rips, or tears.
  • Structurally sound (no broken springs or deep sagging).
  • Ideally less than 10 years old.

Who accepts mattresses?

  • The Salvation Army: Often accepts mattresses, but they must be spotless and in 'like-new' condition. However, many urban locations have stopped accepting them due to local bed bug ordinances. You must check their online scheduler or call your local branch first.
  • Local Furniture Banks: Organizations like the Furniture Bank Network and A Sense of Home specifically look for beds to help families transitioning out of homelessness.

Note: Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity ReStore typically do NOT accept mattresses for resale. A small number of locations may offer mattress recycling for a fee, but you should assume they won't take it for donation unless you've confirmed it with that specific store.

Two Lugg movers carefully carrying a mattress down a narrow home staircase.
Moving a mattress down stairs can be awkward, heavy, and difficult to do alone.

2. Mattress Recycling (The Eco-Friendly Option)

Did you know that up to 80% of a mattress can be recycled? Most recycling programs focus on separating steel, foam, wood, and fabric rather than refurbishing the mattress itself.

  • California, Connecticut, Rhode Island & Oregon Residents: You are in luck! Programs like Bye Bye Mattress make recycling easy. You likely paid a small recycling fee when you bought your new mattress, which funds these programs. Check your local recycling center for drop-off hours.
  • Massachusetts Residents: Since the 2022 MassDEP waste ban, mattresses are officially banned from landfills and must be recycled. Luckily organizations like Tough Stuff Recycling and Green Mattress Co. exist to help with recycling. Both typically charge a fee for recycling.
  • Other States: Search for "mattress recycling center near me" on Earth911. Be prepared to pay a small fee (usually $15–$40) to drop it off.

Pro-tip: Most recycling centers require you to transport the mattress yourself. This is often the biggest barrier for apartment dwellers or anyone without access to a truck. If you don't have a truck, Lugg can bridge that gap by delivering it to the center for you.

3. Municipal Bulk Trash Pickup

Some cities offer bulk waste pickup services for large items. Availability, fees, and preparation rules vary by city.

  • Check your city’s website: Look for "bulk item pickup" or "large trash collection."
  • The Catch: You usually have to schedule this weeks in advance, and you have to haul the mattress to the curb yourself. Some cities also require mattresses to be wrapped in plastic before pickup. In rainy or snowy weather, this can get messy fast.

Pro-tip: Book Lugg for labor-only help to haul heavy, bulky mattresses to the curbside for town pickup.

Two Lugg movers guiding a wrapped mattress through a tight doorway during removal.
Tight doorways and narrow hallways make mattress removal harder than it looks.

4. The Easiest Way: Book a Lugg for Mattress Removal

Don't have a truck? Can't lift a queen-size mattress down three flights of stairs alone? Don't want to drag a dirty mattress into your minivan?

Lugg is the "easy button" for mattress disposal. You choose where the mattress goes — donation, recycling, or disposal — and the crew hauls it there for you.

When you book a Lugg for Mattress Removal, our professional movers will:

  • Come to your house (often on the same day).
  • Do all the heavy lifting and carrying.
  • Haul your mattress away.
  • Take it to the appropriate donation center or recycling facility for you.

We handle the pickup, the lifting, and the disposal so you don't have to.

Screens from the Lugg app showing how to set a pickup and choose a drop-off and vehicle for mattress removal.
Lugg lets you select a pickup, choose a drop-off, and book mattress removal in just a few steps.

How to Book Mattress Disposal with Lugg

  1. Download the Lugg App: Or go to Lugg.com.
  2. Enter Your Route: Set your pickup address. For the destination, enter your preferred recycling, dump, or donation center.
  3. Select Your Vehicle: A Pickup Truck is great for recycling a mattress. Enclosed vehicles are recommended if the mattress needs to stay protected during transport. If you're donating a California king or king-size mattress, book the XL.
  4. Relax: Watch in real-time as your end-of-life mattress disappears.

Ready to reclaim your space?

If you don’t have a truck, can’t lift a mattress safely, or want this handled quickly, hauling it yourself can be more trouble than it’s worth. Book a Lugg to haul away your old mattress today.